Kurseong (West Bengal): Assuring leaders in the Hills that she would find a “permanent solution” for the region that has witnessed several agitations over statehood demand, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today urged them to prepare a roadmap, keeping in mind the interests of locals, and submit it to the government, which will then carry out further work on it.
Ms Banerjee also ruled out separation of Darjeeling from Bengal, while promising that she would do whatever it takes to usher in development in the Hills.
She said that panchayat elections in the region and polls to Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) — an autonomous district council that governs Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong and some moujas of Siliguri subdivision — would be held once the voters’ list gets updated.
Panchayat elections in the Hills were last held in 2000.
“You (leaders in north Bengal) have seen so much of politics over the years. Now, let’s come and play the game of development politics. You give me an opportunity; I assure you that I will get a permanent solution for Darjeeling. I do not say anything for the sake of it.
“We have kept all the promises that we made,” Ms Banerjee said here during an administrative meeting of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts.
She requested leaders such as former Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Anit Thapa, who formed a new party recently, to submit the plan they prepare by the first week of December.
Without naming any party, the Trinamool Congress supremo alleged that some politicians, who visit the Hills before the elections with promises of statehood, intend to create division among people.
“They flee after elections. Their only motto is to create divisions. I will ask you to submit a plan to the government for chalking out a permanent solution.
